MixedCourses & teaching
Read full review“Not all classes are going to be seminar style. There will still be large lectures like in every other major.”
Difficulty
Moderately challenging
Average difficultyBased on 6 students across 4 schools.View review makeup
3.0/ 5
Share of students at each rating
Class-year breakdown needs more responses.It appears after at least two class years have 5 difficulty ratings each.
What makes this major demanding?
Worth it?
100% would recommend it
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Student paths
How students switch into and out of English
Came from
Share of switchersSwitched intoEnglish
Where students came from is based on English reviews.
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What you will study and do
Curriculum and careers
The English major focuses on the study of literature, language, and writing. Students learn to analyze texts, understand historical and cultural contexts, and develop strong critical thinking, communication, and writing skills.
Core course themes
Introduction to Literary Studies
Explores major literary genres and themes, introducing students to critical analysis and interpretation of texts.
Shakespearean Literature
Examines the works of William Shakespeare, focusing on his plays and their impact on literature and culture.
Creative Writing
Encourages students to develop their own voice and style in writing fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.
American Literature
Covers significant works and movements in American literature from colonial times to the present.
Modern and Contemporary Literature
Analyzes 20th and 21st-century literary works, focusing on diverse voices and global perspectives.
English Grammar and Linguistics
Provides an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the English language.
Common roles
- Editor
- Content Writer
- Teacher
- Public Relations Specialist
- Copywriter
Why salary figures are not shownSalary data appears only when its source, geography, occupation mapping, and date can be verified.
English by school
Scores account for sample sizePreparing school differences…
Brown University2 reviews
- Career outlook
- 2.7
- Enjoyment
- 4.7
- Recommend
- 100%
University of Southern California2 reviews
- Career outlook
- 2.6
- Enjoyment
- 4.7
- Recommend
- 100%
Harvard University1 review
- Career outlook
- 2.6
- Enjoyment
- 4.6
- Recommend
- 100%
University of California-Los Angeles1 review
- Career outlook
- 2.7
- Enjoyment
- 4.6
- Recommend
- 100%
Community
Big questions in English
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Student reviews
Courses & teachingPositive
Don't be afraid to think outside of the box with your analysis and focus on specific details. It's intimidating at first but you get better as a reder/writer over time, and the professors are genuinely thoughtful and helpful.
Courses & teachingMixed
i am an english major because i am passionate about creative writing and reading. my favorite aspect of the major is writing and my least favorite is probably writing literary essays. my professors are great and just as passionate however i wish there was more career opportunities.
Advice & things to knowMixed
I wish I had known that within English Literature, people tend to gravitate toward specializations as you progress to a specific time period.
- Interested in Law
- Planning a professional degree
Courses & teachingPositive
Professors are clearly genius, and it's amazing having currently-researching professors teaching on the subject they're researching! Evidently investing time and energy. Classmates are dedicated and inventive. Classes are insured and interesting, nothing like HS or CC. Love it! Widely transferable.
Courses & teachingPositive
English is really fun and, at the higher levels, teaches you a lot of critical thinking skills that people outside of the major don't know are teachable.
Switched from Philosophy · Also majoring in Public Policy
- Interested in Law
- Planning a professional degree
Courses & teachingMixed
Not all classes are going to be seminar style. There will still be large lectures like in every other major.
- Interested in Law · Education +2
- Unsure about grad school
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